Top 10 Deadliest Holidays to Drive (2024)
While holidays come with excitement and fun, they’re also typically the most dangerous days to drive. Many people think Christmas or Thanksgiving are the worst holidays to drive, but other holidays rack up more accidents and fatalities. Learn which holidays to be extra careful on the road below.
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Travis Thompson
Licensed Insurance Agent
Travis Thompson has been a licensed insurance agent for nearly five years. After obtaining his life and health insurance licenses, he began working for Symmetry Financial Group as a State Licensed Field Underwriter. In this position, he learned the coverage options and limits surrounding mortgage protection. He advised clients on the coverage needed to protect them in the event of a death, critica...
Licensed Insurance Agent
UPDATED: Oct 19, 2024
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Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.
UPDATED: Oct 19, 2024
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
- The most dangerous days of the year to drive are usually summer holidays that people celebrate by drinking at parties or traveling long distances
- Although many winter holidays are traditionally celebrated with parties, they tend to be safer for drivers
- You can stay safe even on the most dangerous holidays by following laws, avoiding drunk driving, and planning your route
What are the 10 deadliest holidays to drive?
American holidays have a lot of variety. From religious observations to celebrations of culture or historical moments, it seems there’s a holiday every few weeks. While everyone loves a three-day weekend, holidays can also bring out the worst driving behaviors and can be some of the worst days of the year to drive. However, driving on the most dangerous holiday can be avoided sometimes. The most common causes of holiday crashes are congested roads, stressed drivers engaging in road rage and reckless driving, and more people getting behind the wheel while intoxicated. With over 38,000 traffic fatalities in the U.S. in 2020, all holidays have the potential to turn deadly. Here are the top 10 deadliest holidays for driving in America.
Deadliest Holidays to Drive Number 10: Easter
Date: First Sunday after the first full moon of spring Average fatal crashes: 382 Easter is a Christian holiday meant to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. While the holiday is an important religious tradition, it’s become a meaningful celebration for non-Christian Americans. U.S. Easter celebrations include an egg hunt, a visit from the Easter bunny, and a family dinner. Unfortunately, not all Easters end on a happy note — drivers are 3.1% more likely to get into a fatal accident than on other holidays. In a trend you’ll see repeatedly, the main culprits behind the increase in fatalities are driving under the influence, excessive speeding, and reckless behavior.
Deadliest Holidays to Drive Number 9: Veterans Day
Date: November 11 Average fatal crashes: 390 Veterans Day celebrates the nation’s retired military personnel. This holiday matches up with similar celebrations like Armistice Day and Remembrance Day, which are held on the anniversary of the end of WWI. Traditional Veterans Day celebrations include get-togethers with families or friends, spending time with a vet, and attending parades. With the holiday season right around the corner, Veterans Day can be one last time to relax. This holiday has a high number of fatal crashes because of heavier traffic and DUIs. Veterans day traffic is higher than one might expect. Many people out to enjoy a three-day weekend end up driving while intoxicated, which makes a tragedy of what should be a celebration of the nation’s heroes.
Deadliest Holidays to Drive Number 8: Thanksgiving
Date: Fourth Thursday of November Average fatal crashes: 391 The origin story of Thanksgiving celebrates the first joining of Native Americans and pilgrims during America’s early history. People usually take two days off plus the weekend, making it one of the longest holiday weekends. As with all holidays, drinking and driving play their part in Turkey Day fatalities. However, Thanksgiving traffic is some of the heaviest of the year, with highways and surface streets sometimes at their busiest. Heavy traffic coupled with the stress of trying to get somewhere on time can make drivers rude and impatient. On top of that, the famous shopping “holiday” Black Friday usually starts Thanksgiving night, adding even more stressed-out drivers to the already congested streets.
Deadliest Holidays to Drive Number 7: Halloween
Date: October 31 Average fatal crashes: 396 Originally a Celtic holiday celebrating the end of the harvest and later adapted into a festival to ward off fairies and witches, Halloween today is a beloved tradition in America for kids and adults alike. Unfortunately, Halloween is also particularly dangerous due to the increase in traffic fatalities. Halloween is a party holiday for many young adults, leading to more drunk drivers. Couple that with kids in dark costumes wandering the streets, and you have a recipe for disaster. While adults should avoid driving if they’ve been drinking, parents and guardians can help keep their children safe by adding reflective tape to their costumes or candy buckets. The day of the week that Halloween falls on has an effect on how safe the roads are. The deadliest days for Halloween are Friday and Tuesday.
Deadliest Holidays to Drive Number 6: Mother’s Day
Date: Second Sunday in May Average fatal crashes: 402 As you might guess, Mother’s Day is all about moms. Traditional celebrations include giving a small present and card to your mom, but you don’t have to miss out if you can’t or won’t celebrate with your biological mother. Instead, you can celebrate Mother’s Day with anyone who has supported you. Mother’s Day might seem like a harmless holiday, but traffic fatalities paint a different picture. Many fatalities are caused by drunk drivers leaving a family celebration, and hit-and-runs are particularly high. Another critical aspect of the deadliness of Mother’s Day is road conditions. Mother’s Day falls in late spring after winter has damaged roads with snow and sleet but before they can be fully repaired. As a result, hazardous road conditions are a leading cause of fatalities.
Deadliest Holidays to Drive Number 5: Cinco de Mayo
Date: May 5 Average fatal crashes: 419 Mistakenly called Mexican Independence Day — which falls on September 16 — Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of a Mexican victory during the Franco-Mexican war. Cinco de Mayo is a minor holiday in Mexico, but Americans use it to celebrate Mexican culture. No matter what day Cinco de Mayo falls on, it’s usually celebrated with Mexican food, parties, and drinking. Driving under the influence is the principal reason for traffic fatalities on Cinco de Mayo, especially when it falls on a workday. However, Cinco de Mayo has not historically been as high on this list according to holiday driving statistics. It remains to be seen if Cinco de Mayo will continue to be so deadly.
Deadliest Holidays to Drive Number 4: Father’s Day
Date: Third Sunday in June Average fatal crashes: 431 Like Mother’s Day, you can celebrate a biological or adopted dad or anyone who’s been there for you regardless of your actual relationship. Father’s Day is a little deadlier than Mother’s Day, though no one is quite sure why. The best guess is that summer is in full swing by the end of June, and people are a bit more ready to cut loose and have a good time. Many of the days with most drunk drivers are holidays occurring in the summer. Drinking and driving mixed with increased traffic leads to higher fatality rates.
Deadliest Holidays to Drive Number 3: Independence Day
Date: July 4 Average fatal crashes: 440 Another summer holiday, Independence Day, is when Americans celebrate the passage of the Declaration of Independence. The Fourth of July is right around the middle of summer break for many students, so it’s a fun time to celebrate with friends and family. Traditional Independence Day celebrations include cookouts, backyard games, and fireworks. Unfortunately, it’s also often the day with most car accidents. Independence Day has 19% more traffic fatalities than the average holiday — therefore, it is one of the single most deadly days on America’s roads due to drunk driving. Since What’s more, 52% of all traffic deaths occurred because someone involved wasn’t wearing a seat belt. Additionally, fatigue plays a serious role in Independence Day deaths. Many Americans use the time off for this holiday to take the family on a short trip, and the long drives lead to tired drivers, which lead to deadly mistakes. When fatigue and celebration mix, it can create the deadliest holiday for drunk driving.
Deadliest Holidays to Drive Number 2: Labor Day
Date: First Monday in September Average fatal crashes: 445 Labor Day is meant as a day to celebrate America’s workers. For those who have it off, Labor Day is an excellent time to relax and say goodbye to summer. Although this holiday is unique for celebrating the American worker, the reasons it’s so deadly are not. Many Americans use Labor Day as the last chance to get out of town for a summer trip, which leads to more traffic and fatigued drivers. Those who choose to stay in town often attend get-togethers that involve drinking. About 38% of all traffic fatalities on Labor Day include drinking and driving.
Deadliest Holidays to Drive Number 1: Memorial Day
Date: Last Monday in May Average fatal crashes: 448 Not to be confused with Veterans Day, Memorial Day honors the men and women who sacrificed their lives while serving their country. Surprisingly, it is also the most dangerous day to drive of the year. Memorial Day is a perfect storm for traffic fatalities. Kids are either out of school or have just a few days left, summer is starting, the weather is warmer, and people get a three-day weekend. As you can probably guess, drunk driving and increased traffic play a huge part in the tragic numbers. However, there’s also a spike in aggressive driving behaviors and running red lights, which increase deaths as well. At an average of 448 fatal crashes, it is the deadliest day on American roads.
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What are the safest holidays to drive?
When you think of dangerous holidays to drive on, you might have guessed traditional party holidays like New Year’s Eve or St. Patrick’s Day. As it turns out, these are some of the safest holidays to drive:
- New Year’s Day (January 1)
- New Year’s Eve (December 31)
- Martin Luther King’s Birthday (observed third Monday of January)
- St. Patrick’s Day (March 17)
- President’s Day (the third Monday in February)
- Christmas (December 25)
Part of the reason these holidays are safer to drive is the weather. These winter holidays mean road conditions are likely poor, meaning drivers know to be more careful. However, the main reason holidays like New Year’s, Christmas, and St. Patrick’s Day are safer is due to stringent efforts by law enforcement. Many drivers who would typically drive under the influence choose not to because they know they are more likely to get caught.
In some areas, New Year’s is the day with the most DUIs due to weather conditions being warmer. New Years is one of the worst holiday for drunk drivers due to people driving in the early hours in the morning after midnight celebrations.
New Year’s Eve is the day with the most drunk drivers and therefore is considered the most dangerous day of the year. It is the deadliest night of the year due to alcohol-related crashes. Among the most dangerous holidays in the USA, New Year’s Eve’s higher rate of impaired driving makes it the riskiest time to be on the roads.
DUIs During the Holidays
In the USA, the day with most DUIs is New Year’s Eve. This makes it the highest drunk driving holiday. Among the biggest DUI holidays, New Year’s Eve is the day with most drunk drivers on the road. Unfortunately, many people travel home from parties late at night or in the early hours of New Year’s Day while still intoxicated. Holiday accident statistics show higher DUI incidents on this night. Being aware of this risk can help keep you safe.
How can you drive safely during the holidays?
Most people plan on driving for at least one holiday — after all, who wants to sit at home and miss everything? If you plan to be on the road for a holiday, use these tips to keep yourself safe:
- Plan for the weather. A key component of safe driving is knowing what conditions will be like. Make sure you plan for local conditions wherever (and whenever) you’re going.
- Designate a driver. No one should ever drive drunk. If you plan on drinking, make sure you know how you’re getting home safely.
- Drive cautiously. Make sure you follow traffic laws, wear your seat belt, avoid distractions, and try not to encourage aggressive behavior toward yourself.
- Check your car. Before going on any long road trips, check your car’s fluids and tires to make sure everything is in working order. If you need a repair, try to get it done before leaving.
- Have the right insurance. While state minimum insurance is cheaper, having collision coverage and personal injury protection will help repair or replace your car and pay your medical bills if something happens.
- Give yourself extra time. Many holidays turn deadly because people rush under the stress of getting to where they need to be on time. You can avoid that by leaving early.
Following these tips can help keep you safe, but not all accidents can be avoided. You can avoid paying for repairs from your own pocket by having the right car insurance policy in place before you leave.
Keep Your Car Safe With the Right Insurance
Holidays are supposed to be a time of fun and celebration with family and friends. Unfortunately, a day off work turns into a day of tragedy for many Americans. You can protect yourself by driving cautiously, planning your trip, and never driving under the influence. If you don’t already have it, you can find car insurance that will cover you for all situations on the road. Make sure to compare multiple companies to find the best rates possible.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which holidays are considered the deadliest for driving?
The top 10 deadliest holidays for driving, based on historical data, are as follows:
- Memorial Day
- Labor Day
- Independence Day
- Father’s Day
- Cinco de Mayo
- Mother’s Day
- Halloween
- Thanksgiving
- Veteran’s Day
- Easter
- St. Patrick’s Day
Why are these holidays particularly dangerous for driving?
These holidays tend to be associated with increased travel, celebrations, and social activities. Factors such as alcohol consumption, fatigue, and distracted driving can contribute to an increased risk of accidents and fatalities during these periods.
Are there specific safety tips to follow during these holidays?
Yes, here are some safety tips to keep in mind during the deadliest holidays for driving:
- Designate a sober driver or use alternative transportation if consuming alcohol.
- Avoid distractions, such as texting or talking on the phone while driving.
- Observe speed limits and drive defensively.
- Get enough rest before long drives to avoid drowsy driving.
- Plan your route in advance and be aware of potential traffic congestion.
Do insurance companies charge higher premiums during these holidays?
Insurance premiums are typically determined by various factors such as driving history, vehicle type, and location. While holidays may be associated with higher accident rates, insurance premiums are not directly linked to specific holidays. However, if you have a history of accidents or traffic violations during holidays, it could affect your premium.
What should I do if I’m involved in an accident during a holiday?
If you’re involved in an accident during a holiday, follow these steps:
- Ensure your safety and the safety of others involved.
- Contact emergency services if necessary.
- Document the accident scene by taking photos and gathering witness information.
- Exchange insurance information with the other party.
- Notify your insurance company and provide them with accurate information about the incident.
What is the most dangerous holiday to drive?
The worst holiday to drive in the USA is usually the Fourth of July. This holiday sees high numbers of car accidents and fatalities due to Fourth of July traffic. Celebrations frequently involve drinking, which is the main reason this is the holiday with most car accidents. A higher probability of others driving impaired made this the most dangerous day of the year to drive. Since drinking activities occur day and night on Independence day, it is one of the worst holidays for drunk driving.
Which holiday has the most car accidents?
Holidays with high accident statistics are New Year’s Eve, Thanksgiving, and Memorial Day. However, most of the time, July 4th is considered the worst day for car accidents due to Independence day festivities impacting drivers.
What is the most dangerous holiday to drive in during the winter?
The most dangerous holiday to drive in during the winter season is New Year’s Eve, including the early hours of New Year’s Day. Driving on New Year’s Day, however, is less risky. Unless you absolutely must, driving on New Year’s Eve should be avoided. Except in the case of emergency, driving it’s the most dangerous night of the year to drive. New Year’s car accidents can be worse in northern climates due to snow and ice, making it the deadliest holiday in the US in the winter.
What is the worst holiday for drunk driving?
New Year’s Eve is the worst holiday for drunk driving due to many factors including NYE party traditions involving parties late at night, decreasing visibility and possibly facing weather hazards. Since law enforcement expects New Year’s to be the worst night for drunk drivers, law enforcement typically increases their patrol and checkpoints this night. Extra precautions and additional traffic enforcement can help prevent some accidents, but statistically New Year’s Eve remains one of the most dangerous nights to drive.
Why is New Years Eve the worst night for drunk drivers?
New Year’s Eve is often labeled the worst night of the year to drive. This is mostly because of drunk driving. NYE (New Year’s Eve) is the most dangerous night to drive because countdown celebrations usually involve alcohol. Statistically speaking, it is the most dangerous night of the year for drivers. Emergency services report it to be the worst drunk driving days of the year due to the sheer number of driving under the influence incidents. Alcohol consumption is to blame for making New Year’s Eve the worst night to drive, posing a serious risk to all road users.
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Travis Thompson
Licensed Insurance Agent
Travis Thompson has been a licensed insurance agent for nearly five years. After obtaining his life and health insurance licenses, he began working for Symmetry Financial Group as a State Licensed Field Underwriter. In this position, he learned the coverage options and limits surrounding mortgage protection. He advised clients on the coverage needed to protect them in the event of a death, critica...
Licensed Insurance Agent
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.